Chapter 593: Chapter 28: Even If You Are a Woman, My Heart Is Without Regret

In the flower hall of the Sheng Family, Sheng Yuli accompanied Mu Qingge while waiting.

Today, the only person accompanying Mu Qingge was Mo Yang, yet his presence was still imposing.

Sheng Yuli sat across from her, his mood seemed complex, or perhaps he viewed her as a romantic rival, as he didn’t utter a single word.

His unusual behavior left Mu Qingge feeling puzzled, especially the deep envy, jealousy, and resentment hidden in his eyes, which made her feel quite innocent.

She hadn’t done anything to Sheng Yuli, so why look at her that way?

Touching the tip of her nose, Mu Qingge felt somewhat aggrieved.

Soon, the sound of footsteps was heard, and Mu Qingge looked up to see Qin Yiyao in a graceful blue dress.

The blue dress she wore was also a gradient color, pure white at the top, gradually changing to blue at the hem, resembling the dresses she often wore back in Qin Country.

In a daze, Mu Qingge looked at Qin Yiyao in front of her, as if she had returned to those past years.

She blinked, then stood up from her seat and said to Qin Yiyao, "I’ve come to take you away."

Qin Yiyao nodded, from the moment she appeared, her eyes only contained Mu Qingge, completely ignoring Sheng Yuli beside her.

Sheng Susu followed closely, seeing Qin Yiyao had agreed to leave, she could only look helplessly at her brother. She had tried but to no avail!

Disappointment rose in Sheng Yuli’s eyes, he forced a smile and said to Qin Yiyao, "Miss Qin, won’t you stay a few more days? Leaving hastily, Susu will miss you."

Sheng Susu rolled her eyes; her foolish brother, why not just say he will miss her instead of suggesting she would?

If he doesn’t speak his mind now, there might never be another chance.

Sheng Susu glared at Sheng Yuli, trying to remind him. However, he kept his eyes fixed on Qin Yiyao, hoping for her response.

Qin Yiyao lowered her gaze slightly, then turned to Sheng Yuli and said quietly, "No, thanks. Susu and I are just acquaintances, parting is natural."

Her words were somewhat heartless, yet undeniably true.

In this vast world, the encounters between people are like a drop in the ocean; once parted, they may never intersect again. So it is better to cherish the present, rather than wish for the future.

However, Sheng Susu was displeased by her words. She rushed to Qin Yiyao and said, "Sister Yiyao, in my heart, we are not mere acquaintances. Remember, wherever you go, whatever happens, as long as you wish to return, the Sheng Family will always welcome you."

Her words carried sincerity, with not a hint of falseness.

Qin Yiyao looked at her and eventually nodded.

"Master Mu, are you sure you won’t stay a few more days?" Seeing Qin Yiyao wouldn’t relent, Sheng Yuli had to direct his plea to Mu Qingge.

Mu Qingge stood up, walked to Qin Yiyao’s side, and said to Sheng Yuli, "The Sheng Family is currently experiencing a turbulent period, we won’t impose anymore." With that, she nodded slightly and headed towards the door.

Mo Yang followed behind her, and without hesitation, Qin Yiyao also followed them out of the Sheng Family’s residence.

Watching the three leave, Sheng Yuli stood despondently in place, as though his entire soul had left with Qin Yiyao.

Sheng Susu elbowed him, waking him from his daze.

Sheng Yuli looked blankly at his sister.

Sheng Susu said to him, "Brother, if you truly have feelings for Sister Yiyao, then chase after her and express your feelings before she leaves Yu Shui City."

Her words fueled Sheng Yuli’s spirits.

It ignited a spark in his eyes; he nodded seriously, standing tall, and walked away with determination.

...

Leaving the Sheng Family, Mu Qingge took Qin Yiyao to the waiting Spiritual Beast Car outside. The driver, naturally, was Mo Yang.

The two sat alone in the carriage, adding a touch of awkwardness to the atmosphere inside.

Qin Yiyao sat upright, her head lowered, fingers twisting the silk ribbon at her waist to conceal her inner turmoil. She could sense that Mu Qingge had something to say to her, something she both anticipated and feared.

"How did you come here from Linchuan?" The spiritual beast car moved slowly, and after a moment of silence, Mu Qingge asked the question she was most curious about.

She had come to the Middle Ancient Realm, experiencing many things along the way. Not to mention other occurrences, but the last tidal wave nearly swallowed her whole. Qin Yiyao only had the cultivation level of Blue Realm Peak, so how did she manage to arrive here?

Mu Qingge’s question made Qin Yiyao’s body tremble, as if she had fallen into an ice cave, her complexion turning pale.

Sensing the change in her aura, Mu Qingge looked up at her, only to see her eyes filled with terror and trembling.

Mu Qingge’s eyes flashed as she moved over, took her hands resting on her knees, and softly said, "Yiyao?"

The single call, Yiyao, dispelled the cold air enveloping Qin Yiyao, pulling her out of her fearful memories. She raised her eyes to look at Mu Qingge and saw the worry in those clear eyes, with the last trace of coldness in her heart dispelled.

"If you don’t want to say, then I won’t ask," Mu Qingge softly said.

She could imagine that Qin Yiyao, coming here, probably went through dangers and dire situations beyond ordinary imagination. Forcing her to recount the experiences would only make her relive those trials.

Qin Yiyao pressed her lips together, lowered her eyes, and said, "It’s not that I don’t want to say, it’s just that I don’t know how to explain it."

She was silent for a moment, organizing her thoughts before telling Mu Qingge about her experiences.

However, she only used the simplest language to summarize and did not detail the dangers and thrills involved.

"After leaving Qin Country, I traveled around. By chance, I came to the Ancient Witch Country with a group of people. On the other side of the Bitter Sea, connected to another continent, it was then I learned about it. Knowing it, I wanted to see it. But ultimately..." Qin Yiyao suddenly stopped.

Her eyes were a bit dull, as if she had fallen into memories.

Mu Qingge did not rush her, just quietly waited.

After a short while, Qin Yiyao awoke from her daze and continued, "By some strange twist of fate, I met a man. He said he could bring me to the Middle Ancient Realm, said I had great potential, and wanted to take me as his disciple. I believed him and followed him. But instead of the Bitter Sea, we took a shortcut."

"Shortcut?" Mu Qingge’s eyes narrowed, shock filling her heart.

There was actually a shortcut connecting the Middle Ancient Realm and Linchuan Realm?

Qin Yiyao nodded, "That shortcut was also within the territory of the Ancient Witch Country, near the Bitter Sea... or rather, on a small island off the coast. He took me to the island, and he indeed meticulously cultivated me, taught me cultivation, and gave me many rare plants to improve my cultivation. Soon, my cultivation reached the Blue Realm. You know, in Qin Country back then, what the Blue Realm represented. I was overjoyed and truly regarded him as my master. But unexpectedly..."

Qin Yiyao paused again, her brows furrowed as if the following words were hard to utter. But finally, she summoned the courage to speak: "But unexpectedly, he didn’t intend for me to be his disciple at all, but wanted to turn me into his tripod furnace once I reached the Purple Realm to absorb all my cultivation."

Mu Qingge, hearing this, had her face darken, her eyes gathering coldness.

She grabbed Qin Yiyao’s wrist, placing two fingers on her pulse, carefully checking. Previously, Qin Yiyao had mentioned that man made her consume many rare plants to enhance her cultivation. Who knew if those had any side effects?

Upon investigation, Mu Qingge’s expression deepened.

Although Qin Yiyao’s cultivation was at Blue Realm Peak, her aura was chaotic and impure. Continuing to cultivate this way could result in her exploding and dying at any moment.

"My body is quite poor, isn’t it?" Qin Yiyao did not stop Mu Qingge’s probing, instead calmly asked.

Mu Qingge released her wrist, looking at her reassuringly, "It’s not that bad."

Qin Yiyao, however, smiled faintly, "You don’t need to hide it from me; I know my body well." For some reason, though not adept at smiling, she found it easy to naturally smile in Mu Qingge’s presence.

"Once I discovered his true intentions, I began planning my escape. I dared not cultivate diligently as before. But he soon noticed my slowed cultivation and brought me many herbs to boost spiritual power, forcing me to consume them. Eventually, he didn’t bother hiding it anymore, locking me up and feeding me with elixirs daily to enhance my cultivation. Under his torment, my cultivation finally reached Blue Realm Peak. On that day, he also found a way to open the shortcut. I remember he was very frenzied and excited..." Qin Yiyao said, her eyes once again gathering terror.

In her eyes, the scene from that day seemed to flash by.

The one she called master went mad, tore her clothes apart, attempting to force himself on her. She was in despair and agony, desperately trying to preserve her purity, only to be met with endless whipping.

In the end, covered in wounds and drenched in blood, she cried out, "I haven’t reached the Purple Realm yet; if you force it, all efforts will be wasted!"

This sentence awakened the man’s senses, sparing her purity in the last moment.

The images dissipated in Qin Yiyao’s eyes; this experience was something she couldn’t speak of in front of Mu Qingge. She didn’t want to be looked down upon by Mu Qingge for it, nor did she want his sympathy.

So, she pursed her lips, swallowed the memory, and skipped ahead: "He stood with me on an ancient symbol and said that through it, we could reach the Middle Ancient Realm."

An Array!

With Qin Yiyao’s description, Mu Qingge already understood what was going on in his heart.

It turned out that on a certain island in the sea near the connection between the Ancient Witch Country and the Bitter Sea, there existed an array connecting to the Middle Ancient Realm.

Mu Qingge did not continue to ask about the part Qin Yiyao deliberately concealed. Since she didn’t want to say, why should he expose her scars?

"Before he activated that thing, he told me that it was very unstable and warned me not to move around. At that time, I knew an opportunity had come," Qin Yiyao continued, "Just as we were about to be transmitted to the Middle Ancient Realm, I took advantage of its instability and pushed him hard from behind. My original intention was to perish together with him, but for some reason, when I woke up, I was in the Middle Ancient Realm. Whether that person is dead or alive, I’m not sure, but at least I escaped his clutches. I thought that once I left him, I’d be free. However, I later discovered that with my cultivation in the Middle Ancient Realm, I was simply too weak. I was kidnapped by Floating Guests, eventually escaping, chased by Spirit Beasts, and still managed to keep my life. Stumbling, hiding, as if everyone who met me and saw my cultivation could bully me at will. Yet through these experiences, I found I didn’t want to die; I wanted to live strongly, no matter what I encountered."

As Qin Yiyao spoke, a layer of sharpness already enveloped her body.

She understated her experiences, covering up those shocking details, but it made people even more heartbroken.

She is alive, but who could guess at what cost and what she went through to survive?

This is a world where the strong are revered, and she, with cultivation only at the Blue Realm Peak, struggles to survive in the Middle Ancient Realm. She could cultivate and break through to enter the Purple Realm. However, it might also lead to her death. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

She doesn’t want to die, so she hasn’t broken through this layer.

Mu Qingge sighed in his heart and asked, "How did you appear in Yu Shui City, and why did you attempt to assassinate Jiang Tianyi?"

The sharp aura around Qin Yiyao gradually dissipated as she answered Mu Qingge’s questions: "Coming to Yu Shui City was an accident." Also, it was this accident that made me see you again.

Qin Yiyao stole a glance at Mu Qingge and continued, "I came here during an escape. I wanted to kill Jiang Tianyi because he kidnapped someone who was kind to me, and when that person was sent back, they had their tongue cut off, their face destroyed, and limbs severed. When I arrived in Yu Shui City, she was barely alive, but it was her who saved me, gave me food and water, and took care of me diligently, allowing me to recover. So, I had to repay this kindness. Killing Jiang Tianyi was the only thing I could do for her. Unfortunately, I still failed."

Mu Qingge already understood Qin Yiyao’s journey throughout this ordeal.

She paused for a moment and then said to Qin Yiyao, "I can help condition your body. After it’s done, you can continue cultivating. If you want to return to the Linchuan Realm, I’ll also find a way to send you back."

Qin Yiyao looked at her, pressing her lips in silence.

Seeing her expression, Mu Qingge said, "Could it be that you’re planning to stay here and lurk in Yu Shui City to assassinate Jiang Tianyi again?"

"I owe her that," Qin Yiyao said.

Mu Qingge slowly shook her head, "Do you think the same assassination will catch Jiang Tianyi off guard again? If you want to kill him, what’s most important is to condition your body, then cultivate until you are strong enough, and then come back to kill him."

If Jiang Tianyi were Qin Yiyao’s enemy, perhaps she would have taken action. But for Qin Yiyao, she was merely seeking revenge on behalf of someone else. If she didn’t go to assassinate Jiang Tianyi, the two of them might never have crossed paths. This is Qin Yiyao’s own promise, and she will not intervene.

She believes that Qin Yiyao also does not wish for her to make a move to help.

Qin Yiyao was silent, and just as Mu Qingge thought she would refuse and stubbornly go after Jiang Tianyi, she unexpectedly agreed, "I’ll listen to you."

This obedient demeanor made Mu Qingge’s heart tremble.

She saw the attachment in Qin Yiyao’s eyes. Suddenly, she remembered that when her identity was publicly revealed, Qin Yiyao probably was no longer in Linchuan, so she didn’t even know she was actually a woman.

She almost made a colossal mistake!

Mu Qingge took a deep breath and said to Mo Yang, "Drive the car to a place where no one is disturbing us."

Mo Yang adjusted the Spiritual Beast Car’s direction, taking the two to a secluded place.

Qin Yiyao looked at Mu Qingge in confusion, not knowing what she intended to do.

And Mu Qingge didn’t explain immediately but rather contemplated in her heart how to explain everything to Qin Yiyao.

Qin Yiyao’s feelings for her were clear since she voluntarily followed her to Yi City. That is why, upon returning from Yi City, she swiftly severed the relationship that shouldn’t have existed, preventing Qin Yiyao from getting in too deep.

However, even though she rejected it, Qin Yiyao still couldn’t control her heart.

Now, after all Qin Yiyao has gone through, it is heart-wrenching. She truly doesn’t wish to hurt her again, yet must make things clear.

"Young Lord, we’ve arrived." Mo Yang’s voice came from outside the carriage. The Spiritual Beast Car also gradually came to a stop.

Mu Qingge said to Mo Yang, "Stand guard, and don’t let anyone approach."

Mo Yang obeyed and left.

With no one around, Mu Qingge finally spoke to the bewildered Qin Yiyao, "Yiyao, you are clear that there’s no possibility between us, right?"

Even though it wasn’t the first time hearing this answer, Qin Yiyao couldn’t help but tremble slightly.

She forced a smile, avoiding eye contact, not wanting Mu Qingge to see the hurt and despair in her eyes.

She thought that by letting go of everything, there might still be a chance between them.

But she didn’t realize it was all just her wishful thinking.

"Yiyao, it’s not what you think." Mu Qingge stretched out her hand, lifted Qin Yiyao’s chin, and forced her to look at her.

Qin Yiyao was forced to look at Mu Qingge, meeting her clear and transparent eyes.

Mu Qingge said, "When I said there was no possibility, it’s because, like you, I am a woman."

Boom—!

Mu Qingge’s words made Qin Yiyao’s eyes contract tightly, her entire body as if struck by lightning.

Mu Qingge is a woman?!

How could that be possible?

How could he possibly be a woman?

He is the Young Lord of the Mu Mansion, her fiancé!

Even if her emperor father were muddle-headed, and her grandmother were greedy for the Mu family’s military power, they would never betroth her to a woman!

But no matter how shocked Qin Yiyao was, it couldn’t change the reality in front of her.

Mu Qingge lowered her eyes, raised her left hand, and removed the earring on her left ear. Without the cover of the Illusionary Artifact, Mu Qingge returned to her female form.

The previously distinctly male contours became softer, and her figure more slender and graceful.

"Yiyao, do you see clearly now? This matter is no longer a secret in Linchuan." Mu Qingge spoke, her voice replaced by a melodious female voice.

Qin Yiyao stared at the person in front of her, so familiar yet so foreign.

Mu Qingge put the earring back on, turning back into the free-spirited and gallant man in Qin Yiyao’s eyes. She said, "Since my birth, I’ve been adorned with this Illusionary Artifact to conceal my gender. It was only to keep the Mu Family safe, but it ended up causing all these ensuing problems. I had no intention of deceiving you; when I realized your feelings for me, I tried to stop it, but it seemed I still failed."

"Did you request the annulment of the engagement with my emperor father because you couldn’t marry me?" Qin Yiyao asked, her voice strained. Even after seeing it with her own eyes, she found it hard to accept this fact.

No matter how rational she was, it was hard to accept. However, she had no choice but to accept it.

The Mu Family’s situation... Haha, she knew it all too well. If Mu Qingge had been in her female identity then, she would have been in even greater danger.

Faced with Qin Yiyao’s question, Mu Qingge nodded.

The long-harbored confusion in her heart was finally answered. Qin Yiyao suddenly felt like crying, filled with grievances and sorrow. Knowing that Mu Qingge was a woman, a thought unexpectedly crossed her mind... If their engagement had not been annulled, even after learning that Mu Qingge was a woman, she would have willingly married her, to cover for her.

This thought shocked her, and in a daze, she blurted out, "If you were a man, would you have refused the engagement then?"

As soon as she spoke, Qin Yiyao regretted it.

She feared hearing a rejection answer once more.

Yet having voiced it already, she simultaneously held onto a sliver of hope, awaiting Mu Qingge’s answer.

"If I were a man..." Mu Qingge looked at her and spoke, "If I were truly a man, perhaps I wouldn’t resist you, my fiancée."

She admired Qin Yiyao, which was why she didn’t want to hurt her.

But, she was not a man after all, and didn’t know what it would be like. She could only give a vague answer based on her admiration for Qin Yiyao.

Qin Yiyao suddenly smiled as if a heavy burden had been lifted, saying to Mu Qingge, "That’s enough." Because the question she asked could never become reality, so what was the use of getting tangled up in it? Mu Qingge’s words, not rejecting her, were already enough.

"Thank you, thank you for being honest with me and for unlocking my heart’s knot." Qin Yiyao didn’t know how to face Mu Qingge for a moment and could only lower her head.

Mu Qingge nodded almost imperceptibly and said to her, "I understand. You might find it difficult to accept right now, so I’ll leave first. Mo Yang will take you back. Tomorrow we will leave Yu Shui City. Before that, you can consider whether to leave with me so I can heal your body or stay with the Sheng Family in Yu Shui City."

"The Sheng Family?" Qin Yiyao looked up at Mu Qingge, surprised.

Mu Qingge raised an eyebrow, "I think the Sheng Family seems very keen on you staying permanently. Before your body recovers, you indeed need protection."

With that said, Mu Qingge turned and jumped off the Spiritual Beast Car, disappearing from Qin Yiyao’s sight.

After she left, Qin Yiyao felt as if all the strength drained from her body, and she leaned against the carriage.

The smile on her face faded, and her eyes showed a hint of loss.

The relief she showed in front of Mu Qingge now left her utterly exhausted.

Perhaps she was truly ill, for even knowing Mu Qingge’s female identity, she couldn’t suppress her inner desire for her.

She was her enemy, who had killed her blood relatives in the world.

Even if she didn’t hate, didn’t seek revenge, they should be like strangers.

Qin Yiyao reminded herself over and over again. Yet, Mu Qingge’s image lingered in her mind, even knowing she was a woman, she still plunged deep and couldn’t extricate herself.

The weak familial affection of the Royal Family, her mother and brother’s actions, her father’s obligations to the Mu Family couldn’t support her hatred for Mu Qingge, or her forgetting of Mu Qingge.

Instead, Mu Qingge repeatedly rescued her from despair, bringing her freedom, giving her the warmth she longed for.

The domineering protection in front of the playboy, fighting side by side in the beast tide of Yi City, descending from the sky at the border of Tu Country, and rescuing her from the black market this time—all made Qin Yiyao fall for her time and time again.

Even after deciding to forget, the moment of reunion reduced all efforts to ashes.

"Man or woman, what does it matter? I just can’t forget... Mu Qingge, what should I do? How should I face you?" Qin Yiyao leaned against the carriage, whispering to herself.

The bitterness in her heart turned into tears, sliding from the corner of her eye.

The sudden feeling of helplessness made her want to run away, but she couldn’t bear to leave again. A voice inside her told her that if she chose to leave this time, she might never see Mu Qingge again in this lifetime.

But if she stayed, how should she position herself?

Qin Yiyao understood that her feelings for Mu Qingge were irreversible. Staying by Mu Qingge with such emotions, wouldn’t it cause trouble for her?

Qin Yiyao curled up into a ball, holding her knees tightly, burying her head deeply, unwilling for anyone to see her fragile side.

...

Mu Qingge walked outside, Mo Yang approached her.

"Take her back, and take good care of her," Mu Qingge instructed.

Mo Yang glanced at the distant Spiritual Beast Car and said to Mu Qingge, "The Princess of Changle seems to have suffered quite a bit."

Mu Qingge looked up, gazing at the blazing sun in the sky, and sighed, "Without experiences, one cannot transform into a butterfly. This is a trial, maybe also an opportunity. Mo Yang, remember, the world no longer has a Princess of Changle; from now on, call her Miss Yao."

With that, she strode away. She still needed to think carefully about Qin Yiyao’s issues and concoct the elixirs. Whether Qin Yiyao chose to go with her or stay, she would solve her physical issues.

The next day, Mu Qingge met Qin Yiyao early in the morning.

From her face, nothing seemed amiss.

Qin Yiyao said to Mu Qingge, "Today you’re leaving, I’ll see you out of the city."

A simple sentence already gave Mu Qingge her answer.

She respected Qin Yiyao’s decision and nodded to agree to her request to see her off.

As they left Yu Shui City, Mo Yang and the Dragon Tooth Guards departed.

Qin Yiyao watched Mo Yang leave and asked Mu Qingge, "Where are they going?"

Mu Qingge smiled, "To do what they must do." She had only given Mo Yang and them half a year, and at this moment, those 501 people probably couldn’t wait to begin their Floating Guest journey.

Oh! Yes! They indeed have wings.

Thinking of the Dragon Tooth Guards riding Spirit Beasts soaring in the sky, Mu Qingge felt refreshed.

Qin Yiyao withdrew her gaze and smiled at Mu Qingge, "Then I too have to do what I must." After saying that, she glanced at Xie Ya next to Mu Qingge, and also took a look at You He and Hua Yue. But she quickly glanced over Jing Hai, a young boy.

She leaned close to Mu Qingge’s ear and whispered, "That Xie Ya girl still doesn’t know you are... don’t make another girl heartbroken."

Qin Yiyao’s advice carried her own little thoughts.

Even knowing Mu Qingge was a woman, she didn’t want any other woman to share this unique emotion she held in her heart.

Hearing her words, Mu Qingge could only smile wryly, "It’s not what you think."

Just that too many words were inconvenient to say.

Mu Qingge took out a porcelain bottle and handed it to Qin Yiyao. "The medicine in here I concocted overnight based on your body’s condition. Take one a day, and after three months, the chaotic spiritual energy within you will be cleansed, then you can continue cultivation without worries."

Qin Yiyao didn’t hesitate, accepting the medicine bottle from Mu Qingge.

She whispered in her ear again, "If I said that even knowing you’re female, I still like you, would you avoid me?"

This somewhat playful remark from Qin Yiyao surprised Mu Qingge, leaving her briefly unresponsive.

Mu Qingge’s slight surprise made Qin Yiyao laugh, "Just a joke, you don’t have to take it seriously."

Mu Qingge nodded in understanding, not continuing the topic.

"Are you really not planning to go with me?" Mu Qingge asked again.

In Qin Yiyao’s current condition, venturing alone in the Middle Ancient Realm would undoubtedly be dangerous.

A soft smile appeared on Qin Yiyao’s cheeks, and she said to Mu Qingge, "In what capacity should I remain by your side?"

This question was directed at Mu Qingge as well as herself.

Mu Qingge was taken aback.

She seemed to sense something but still didn’t know what to say.

Suddenly, the sound of Spirit Beasts’ hooves approached from afar.

Mu Qingge and her companions looked towards the sound and saw Sheng Yuli riding a Spirit Beast, stirring up dust as he came toward them.

Roar—!

The Spirit Beast halted in front of Mu Qingge and the others. The rising dust prompted Mu Qingge to instinctively shield Qin Yiyao. It seemed, in her heart, Qin Yiyao was someone who needed protection or perhaps she sympathized with her plight.

Yet such a small gesture made Qin Yiyao’s eyes linger on her, with a pang in her heart.

Her inability to forget Mu Qingge was always because of these unintended acts, bringing her unprecedented warmth. That was why she cherished, couldn’t let go, and lost herself.

Sheng Yuli dismounted from the Spirit Beast, rushed to Qin Yiyao’s side, and urgently said, "Miss Qin, please stay. Don’t leave Yu Shui City; stay with the Sheng Family, stay by my side, and let me take care of you."

Qin Yiyao looked at Sheng Yuli in shock, even Mu Qingge raised her eyebrows, looking over.

Xie Ya and Jing Hai stood nearby, witnessing the scene, both were taken aback.

Jing Hai was fine, since she hadn’t interacted much with Qin Yiyao, she was merely surprised by this sudden change. But Xie Ya was shocked; in her impression, Qin Yiyao should have a close relationship with Mu Qingge. How could Sheng Yuli be snatching his woman right in front of him?

Xie Ya silently looked towards Mu Qingge, wondering if he would slap Sheng Yuli to death.

But, when she saw Mu Qingge’s expression, she was puzzled. Why, why was Mu Qingge so calm? There was no anger from being robbed?

Xie Ya frowned in confusion.

"Young Master Sheng, you..." Qin Yiyao was stunned for a moment, then said in surprise.

Sheng Yuli, however, directly held her hand, saying, "Miss Qin, I know you never noticed me. But, I fell in love with you at first sight, and I hope you can give me a chance, to stay." Then, he spoke to Mu Qingge, "Young Master Mu, I don’t know what kind of story you and Miss Qin had, but I don’t care. Since you two aren’t married yet, it means I still have a chance, and I won’t give up."

Mu Qingge blinked, finally realizing Sheng Yuli was confessing.

The one he’s confessing to was Qin Yiyao.

She couldn’t help but turn her gaze to Qin Yiyao. She wouldn’t interfere with any of Qin Yiyao’s decisions, though she also felt staying at the Sheng Family wasn’t bad.

However, this kind of good was not gained by sacrificing one’s emotions.

If Qin Yiyao had no feelings for Sheng Yuli and didn’t want to stay at the Sheng Family, she would also support her choice.

"That, you should ask her." Mu Qingge raised her chin, giving the initiative to Qin Yiyao.

Sheng Yuli hurried over, seemingly unaware that Qin Yiyao was just sending her off.

"Young Master Sheng, do you know what you’re saying?" Qin Yiyao struggled to free her hand, her face cold as she looked at him.

Sheng Yuli nodded heavily.

He took a deep breath and said to Qin Yiyao, "I know I’m being abrupt, but I fear that if I miss this chance, I’ll regret it forever and never be able to tell you my feelings."

"Do you know who I am? Do you know my background? Do you know my past? Falling for me like this, are you not afraid of causing trouble?" Qin Yiyao asked rationally.

Sheng Yuli shook his head and said, "I don’t know, nor do I need to know. I just need to know that I like you, just you, no matter what your past is, my liking for you is enough."

Qin Yiyao turned her head to look at Mu Qingge, who was also looking at her with clear eyes.

After a moment, Qin Yiyao turned back to Sheng Yuli and said, "I can stay and temporarily reside at the Sheng Family. But this has nothing to do with whether I accept you. I might leave after some time."

"It doesn’t matter, as long as you’re willing to stay. Don’t worry, I won’t force you." Sheng Yuli immediately stated.

Qin Yiyao pursed her lips and said to him, "Wait a moment."

Sheng Yuli nodded eagerly.

Qin Yiyao turned and walked up to Mu Qingge, saying, "I’m staying at the Sheng Family, you can rest assured."

Mu Qingge said to her, "Now I also have no fixed place to live; once settled, I’ll send a message. If you wish to find me, you can come anytime. Also, if there’s anything, you can issue a task to Dragon Teeth at the Floating Guest Clan."

"Dragon Teeth!" Qin Yiyao’s eyes flashed, suddenly understanding what Mo Yang and the others were doing.

She nodded, burying the bitterness of farewell in her heart, unwilling to show her vulnerability to Mu Qingge.

Qin Yiyao took a deep breath, looking at Mu Qingge, they exchanged a wordless glance.

Mu Qingge noticed the complexity in her gaze and opened her mouth to say, "Sheng Yuli is not bad, if you could..."

"Qingge." Qin Yiyao suddenly called her name. It was the first time she had addressed her by name since their reunion.

Mu Qingge didn’t continue speaking.

Qin Yiyao said to her, "Perhaps in the future, I might marry. Or maybe I’ll never marry, but regardless, I hope you won’t be the one persuading me to accept someone else’s affection. That way, my heart will ache, very much."

Suddenly, Mu Qingge felt some pressure in her chest, unable to refuse Qin Yiyao’s plea; she could only nod in agreement.

"Mu——!" Suddenly, a shout came from afar, drawing nearer.

This voice interrupted the melancholy between Mu Qingge and Qin Yiyao, also raising Sheng Yuli’s guard.

He walked forward, shielding Qin Yiyao, warily saying, "It’s Jiang Tianhao’s voice."

Mu Qingge slightly raised an eyebrow.

Soon, dust flew before them as Jiang Tianhao rode a Spirit Beast, slowly emerging from the dust. On the back of the Spirit Beast he rode, it carried a person, seemingly unconscious.

Coming closer, Mu Qingge and the others saw clearly; the person carried by Jiang Tianhao’s Spirit Beast was actually Jiang Tianyi.

Seeing the Jiang Family seeking her, the muscles on Qin Yiyao’s back instantly tensed.

"Don’t be afraid, I’m here."

"Don’t fear, I’m here."

Both Sheng Yuli and Mu Qingge spoke simultaneously to Qin Yiyao.

Among them, it was only Qin Yiyao who had entanglements with the Jiang Family. Sheng Yuli also remembered that day outside the withered woods, Jiang Tianyi had accused Qin Yiyao of being the assassin who tried to kill him.

Their simultaneous words made them glance at each other in surprise.

Mu Qingge’s mouth twitched, feeling like she had overstepped.

Qin Yiyao’s gaze fell on the two of them and finally smiled at Mu Qingge, "With you here, I never fear."

This response left Sheng Yuli feeling disappointed. But he thought this was normal. If Qin Yiyao immediately turned to his embrace, it would have shocked and surprised him.

Mu Qingge glanced coolly at Sheng Yuli, without further explanation, and stepped forward, saying to Jiang Tianhao, "You looking for me?"

Jiang Tianhao sat on his Spirit Beast, looking down at them.

His gaze landed on Mu Qingge, speaking coldly, "The matter with the Le Family, was it you joining forces with the Sheng Family?"

Mu Qingge looked at him, not speaking. Sheng Yuli grew cautious, unsure of what Jiang Tianhao intended.

"You left with Sheng Yuli, went to the Sheng Family. That night, the Le Family had an incident. Le Ying’s death, as our Jiang Family ancestor probed, bore lingering traces of the Sheng Family’s energy. Aside from you and the Sheng Family joining hands, I can’t think of another way for the Le Family to be obliterated overnight. However, having such strength does indeed make me see you in a new light." Jiang Tianhao said as if to himself.

He was already certain of his speculation, and didn’t need Mu Qingge or Sheng Yuli to answer.

This confidence stemmed from his own strength. This strength was not about the level of cultivation, but rather an indomitable spirit within.

Even if standing before him were not Mu Qingge, but a Silver Realm expert, or even a Golden Realm one, he still wouldn’t show a hint of inferiority.

"Did you come just to ask me this question?" Mu Qingge smiled, her lips curling.

This Jiang Tianhao, she indeed appreciated a little.

"Of course not." Jiang Tianhao raised his weapon in hand, pointing at Qin Yiyao, saying to Mu Qingge, "Is she the one who assassinated my brother?"

Seeing him aim directly at Qin Yiyao, Mu Qingge frowned.

However, Jiang Tianhao ignored her and Sheng Yuli, directly asking Qin Yiyao, "What grudge do you have with my brother?"

Qin Yiyao responded with dignity, "Not exactly a grudge, but he harmed someone who was kind to me, and I must avenge them."

"You do have some backbone." Jiang Tianhao retracted his weapon aimed at Qin Yiyao.

He looked again at Mu Qingge and said, "Fight me with all your might. If you win, I’ll personally sever one of Jiang Tianyi’s legs, resolving their grudge. If you lose, then leave behind the hand of this woman who attempted to assassinate my brother. Do you dare, or do you not dare?"